Player ratings: QPR 0 Saints 3

Last updated : 03 September 2007 By Chris C

Starting line-up

Davis - 8: Another calm and impressive performance from the newly crowned 'Super Kelvin Davis' who was put under little pressure by QPR, but did what little he had to do well. Only a run into no-man's land with the striker approaching marred the performance.

Wright - 6: Some meaty challenges, but still needs to offer more in attack. QPR's main tactic seemed to be to float diagonal balls in his general direction, the bulk of which he dealt with well. However, once they started to play the ball into the space behind him, the tactic was much more effective.

Thomas - 8: Untroubled, no nonsense afternoon's defending from Thomas who shackled the QPR attack well and made a series of excellently timed interceptions and headers.

Makin - 7: Tidy performance from Makin who kept it simple and swept up well. Not properly tested by a poor QPR attack, but another who did what he had to do well.

Vignal 6: A mixed bag from Vignal who defended well, but seemed unsure of what to do in possession, looking nervous at crossing the half way line and failing to link well with Surman. Needs to do much more to get the best out of his talent.

Dyer - 8: Another improved performance from Nathan who is growing in confidence and gave the QPR defence a torrid time, setting up Bradley Wright-Phillips for the simplest of headers with a perfect cross. With a little more belief he could have opened his league account for Saints, shaving the left hand post and wasting a couple of promising positions through the middle.

Safri - 8: Oozed quality everytime he got the ball, cutting out any danger with simple, accurate passing and kick starting the attacks with sweeping wide passes. Such a cultured player, he also got stuck in when necessary. Looking one of the bargains of the season.

Viafara - 7: Typical Johnny Viafara, full of running he dominated midfield, winning possession time after time. His distribution was improved over last week, but sadly his shooting was not, wasting a couple of good chances that came his way. Setup the second with a charging run straight through the heart of the QPR team to leave poacher Rasiak with a tap-in.

Surman - 6: Surprisingly quiet afternoon's work from Drew, who was upstaged by Dyer on the other flank, although much of this was down to the lack of support from Vignal. Clever as ever on the ball, he failed to make the most of the opportunities on offer from a back pedalling QPR side there for the taking.

Rasiak - 7: Scored two, but will be kicking himself not to have bagged at least a hat-trick fluffing two one-on-ones with the keeper by over elaborating. Still, you can't argue with two more acts of arch poaching.

Wright-Phillips - 6: A simple header to open his account for Saints, Bradley should have done more to exploit the massive space in between the two QPR centre halves failing to take advantage of several half chances. Worked some good space with his quick feet.

Substitutes

Euell - 7: Given a half hour runout by Burley on the left of midfield, Jason looks a quality signing. Showing excellent movement, awareness and touch, he created a number of chances with his direct play and could have scored with a little more luck. Short of match fitness, he will only get better.

John - 7: What an introduction! He nearly scored within minutes of his debut, first when one-on-one with the keeper, foiled by a last ditch challenge and then with a free header from six yards that he put wide. Let's hope he is more clinical in front of goal in future, as he's certainly capable of getting chances.

Saganowski - 7: Given little time to impress, he was close to getting on the scoresheet with the ball just failing to break to him. With a longer runout he surely would have exploited the gaping space in the QPR backline.